Fresh from scoring a hat-trick and a spell on the massage table, Bath back Tom Cheeseman spoke to Rucked.com about posh tents and all things rugby…
Bath have had a few Welshies in the past but haven't made any signings from across the Bridge, you must be feeling a bit lonely?
When I first came to Bath there was about seven or eight of us but that group has slowly been whittled down to just me now. But I am starting to get on with the English here, so it is not too bad.
Ever scored a hat-trick before?
No. Maybe in the Under-8s, but nothing else. I scored my third try down by the Bath supporters, which was good.
Who has the most flamboyant try-scoring celebration at Bath?
I'd say Nick Abendanon. His celebration is putting his finger in his cheek and twiddling it about for a while, which comes from the guessing game 'Spoof' where you try and read your opponent. It looks pretty arrogant, but it's gloating in a nice way!
Bath's win at Worcester was not just about your tries though, the defence was pretty special near the end too...
It was massive relief for us on the final whistle. We came out after half-time and conceded a try and were down. So to come back, score another try and then hold on for the last five minutes under immense pressure was fantastic, especially after a four-day turnaround.
In tackle practice who hits hardest?
I wouldn't like to find out but I am guessing Peter Short and Danny Grewcock. They are both big guys and are not afraid to show signs of aggression.
Who leads the defence on the pitch?
Michael Lipman takes control in defence, and he was constantly talking to us in that final five minutes – ‘no penalties’, ‘get off the line’, ‘put them under pressure’. And it worked. Towards the end they were going backwards at a rate of knots.
Defence coach Brad Davis has been at the club for a couple of years now, specifically what areas has he helped with?
He always tells us to stay square and not to turn our shoulders because as soon as you do that it is pretty hard to turn around and tackle someone if they run inside of you. He also tells us to try and 'double team' people because it is pretty hard for anyone to run through two people at a time, plus it makes offloading harder.
John Connolly has played a big part in your career, firstly at Swansea and then at Bath. Did he have one pearl of wisdom that sticks in your mind?
He always told me 'if you are in trouble, get your head down and run as fast as you can and wait for your friends to help you'. I think it was his way of saying to the youngsters 'never be afraid to take the ball forward and give it your best shot'.
Sport in your native Wales is on a high at the moment with Swansea City and Cardiff City going well, Wales winning the Grand Slam and Joe Calzaghe triumphant in Las Vegas. Did you stay up to watch the fight?
No I didn't, but by all accounts he was quite lucky. Being a Welshman though he pulled through at the end.
Favourite wind-up?
We always wind up David Barnes. He is one of the players who thinks he is pretty skilful on the pitch, but he is possibly the worst touch player around and has the worst hands I've ever seen in my life. For him to step on the touch-ground and try his skills is pretty funny, and we get stuck into him for that.
Nicknames?
One of them probably isn't printable but another I get called is 'Mumbles': a) for the fact that I am from Mumbles in Swansea and b) people say they can't understand my accent because I mumble.
Your dad was quite a tidy player wasn’t he?
He was a crowd favourite at Swansea. England selected him at Under-23 and 'B' level, but he never quite got a full cap.
You made your starting debut at Gloucester, any memories?
We lost to a Brad Davies drop goal right at the end. The only other thing that I can really remember is getting abuse from The Shed in the first minute when the ball was kicked to me at the start.
And you go to Kingsholm again for the last match of the regular season. You couldn't ask for a harder finish really, could you?
It's going to be pretty tough. But I am sure we'll all be up for it and give it our best shot.
And you could be up against Mike Tindall, one of your mentors as a youngster at Bath...
When I came to Bath he was obviously first choice and playing for England. It was good to be able to follow in his footsteps and learn from him.
Worst job outside of rugby?
I worked for a company that put up marquees and as I was youngest. I was the one who always had to go out in the rain and fetch drinks for all the other lads and stuff.
If you could go to any sporting event of your choice which would you choose?
I wouldn't mind going to the Super Final, I'd imagine it's a pretty awesome experience being there.
Centre or wing?
I am happy to play anywhere, but I haven't got the full-on gas to be a winger. A few times last season I got a bit isolated on the wing, which was probably down to my lack of pace. I think my attributes are better suited to playing in the centre.
Hoping to go to South Africa with Wales?
I'm keeping my fingers crossed, whether it is this summer or another. Unfortunately I've had not contact with anyone yet.
With Alex Crockett looking good for the captaincy next season, that'll surely lessen your chances of a starting place...
'Crocks' has played out of his skin all season, so it's not a bad thing to be sat on the bench behind someone playing so well.
With competition for places fierce in the Bath squad, does that manifest itself off the pitch?
I'd say Shaun Berne is the most competitive member of the squad. I have drop goal competitions with him and if he loses he won't talk to me for days!
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